Across the Waters: A Story of the Migration

[Ower]

Im just stuned, you my dear are a great writer, your story had me on my toes the whole time, always expecting a twist, but newer knowing what it would be, and you have always suprised me. I would love to read that book of yours, once you finish it, ewen if it would be in a doc, unpublished.

[Reverend Joe]

Dude, you really messed with my expectations. Cadwalador was the last person I would expect to die an epic, heroic death. It really worked, though.

Also, before you try to get published, edit out the "one God" stuff. Publishers will worry it will offend a lot of non-Christians; I can tell you it made me a little uncomfortable, but I ran with it because I had some familiarity with you as a person. Other people will not be as kind.

[Praxis]

Wow. Theodotos I, you are a master. I've followed your story since you first started writing, as a lurker. You certainly know how to pluck at heart-strings with all those plot twists. I wish you all the best with your novel!

[Theodotos I]

@Hax: I thought it would surprise a few people.

@Lysimachos: Many thanks for your kind words. The end of Cadwalador and the end of the AAR is a bittersweet experience for me as well. For a time, I had actually plotted out beyond the death of Aneirin moc Cunobelin, planning to have Cadwalador survive the disaster and bring Margeria and her two sons back into the plot. But, as you will see in the epilogue, the Casse themselves forced my hand and I could see no sense in having Cadwalador die fighting beside Erbin or Praesutagos!

@Ower: I appreciate you reading along all this time. I tried to keep the plot moving forward at an equal pace to the events of the game. Reading about countless successful battles is really rather boring, so I thought I would toss in a few defeats just to spice things up. Well, that’s where the EB AI stepped in and handed me my rear on a golden platter.
As for my book, I need to get back to it. This AAR more than anything has been the product of a enforced six-month sabbatical.

@Reverend Joe: I’m glad you felt the ending worked. I wasn’t exactly sure. Personally I’ve thought of Cadwalador as a hero all along. If you’ve ever been in some of these situations in real-life, you know staying loyal to a currently unpopular person or cause is one of the most truly heroic things you can ever do. But I wanted to end it with a dramatic last stand.
As for the second part of your comment, if you are suggesting that I should edit the “monotheism” out before I should try to get this story published, I would agree with you. With the benefit of hindsight, I can see that it just didn’t work in this story. Despite the truth of what I believe, the idea that the Aedui of 272 BC would have known of it was pushing the envelope, particularly with what Sarcasm said of their lack of written records. And, perhaps more importantly, it didn’t add much of anything to the plot. Cadwalador’s healthy skepticism of his native gods was already well established and I probably should have left it at that.
However, if you are saying that I should expunge the notion from all of my writing, then I will have to respectfully disagree. That would be to cut out a part of my character, and no writer can do that and survive with themselves, much less anyone else. Indeed, my regular writing, which is far more modern in nature, will be pitched toward the Christian publishing market. The difficulty I perceive there is that the said market has largely been taken over by pacifists and those who somehow believe a Christian is not permitted to kill in defense of his country. The Christian protagonist of the novel I’m currently working on is a paramilitary who happens to believe you can.
All the same, I appreciate your concern. As for people not being kind, well, I’ve already found that out. . .

@Praxis: Welcome to the forums, and many thanks for commenting. Your excerpt will be arriving shortly, once I get it properly edited. I hope I can make a success of my writing out in the "real" world. Here's a balloon for being the first lurker to show himself.

[Theodotos I]

Removed for publication.

[Reverend Joe]

@Reverend Joe: I’m glad you felt the ending worked. I wasn’t exactly sure. Personally I’ve thought of Cadwalador as a hero all along. If you’ve ever been in some of these situations in real-life, you know staying loyal to a currently unpopular person or cause is one of the most truly heroic things you can ever do. But I wanted to end it with a dramatic last stand.
As for the second part of your comment, if you are suggesting that I should edit the “monotheism” out before I should try to get this story published, I would agree with you. With the benefit of hindsight, I can see that it just didn’t work in this story. Despite the truth of what I believe, the idea that the Aedui of 272 BC would have known of it was pushing the envelope, particularly with what Sarcasm said of their lack of written records. And, perhaps more importantly, it didn’t add much of anything to the plot. Cadwalador’s healthy skepticism of his native gods was already well established and I probably should have left it at that.
However, if you are saying that I should expunge the notion from all of my writing, then I will have to respectfully disagree. That would be to cut out a part of my character, and no writer can do that and survive with themselves, much less anyone else. Indeed, my regular writing, which is far more modern in nature, will be pitched toward the Christian publishing market. The difficulty I perceive there is that the said market has largely been taken over by pacifists and those who somehow believe a Christian is not permitted to kill in defense of his country. The Christian protagonist of the novel I’m currently working on is a paramilitary who happens to believe you can.
All the same, I appreciate your concern. As for people not being kind, well, I’ve already found that out. . .

I wasn't suggesting you eliminate it from everything, especially if you are writing for a Christian audience. I was just saying it doesn't jive with this story.

Also, I would leave out the epilogue as well when publishing. I know it provides more closure in a way, but to me it really weakens the dramatic end. Cadwalador's last brave stand just feels like a book slamming shut.

Edit: also, thanks for the excerpt, but it doesn't seem like the kind of thing I would be interested in. To be honest, a historical novel like this one seems much more original than the subject in the excerpt.

[Lysimachos]

Edit: also, thanks for the excerpt, but it doesn't seem like the kind of thing I would be interested in. To be honest, a historical novel like this one seems much more original than the subject in the excerpt.

Although a historical novel might be more original, I have to say that I'm not too fond of them. It's one thing to like an AAR about a game I play and that compulsorily has an alternative history and another thing with pseudo-historical books that make my accuracy-feelings hurt

[General Appo]

Very good AAR, and one of the few ones that have actually come to an natural end.

[Theodotos I]

I wasn't suggesting you eliminate it from everything, especially if you are writing for a Christian audience. I was just saying it doesn't jive with this story.

Also, I would leave out the epilogue as well when publishing. I know it provides more closure in a way, but to me it really weakens the dramatic end. Cadwalador's last brave stand just feels like a book slamming shut.

Edit: also, thanks for the excerpt, but it doesn't seem like the kind of thing I would be interested in. To be honest, a historical novel like this one seems much more original than the subject in the excerpt.

Well, I added the epilogue because I felt that my readers might like to know what happened in-game, i.e. that I truly was defeated. Since it is so dependent on the game, I wouldn't think of including it otherwise.
Also, as for the excerpt, there is nothing truly original in writing. And I think my stories will be dramatically different from others in the genre. I strive for realism. . .

@Lysimachos: So, you would be interested in a novel of the sort proposed in the excerpt?

@General Appo: Thanks for commenting. I was committed to following this through.

[Theodotos I]

Well, the time has come to bid a fare-thee-well to all my readers who have faithfully followed this AAR over the last six months. Thank you all. If I’ve missed anyone, please forgive me.

Chirurgeon: I guess by all rights the first thanks goes to you. It was your AARs which got me started in the first place, and after my rewrite of Chapter 27 of Iberia Rising, I decided I had better put up or shut up. Thanks for following and for your kind words of encouragement along the way.

Shylence: Your Casse finally vanquished me, but I left many of them dead in the field before I was overcome. If you still frequent the Guild, I trust you will read this. Good luck, mate.

Ludens: Your boost at the start was much welcome. I trust you were able to keep reading.

Keravnos: Thanks for your comment at the beginning and good luck with EB2. Maybe one day I will write an AAR based upon it.

Frodge: You asked for more and I did my dead-level best to supply it. Hope you stayed for the ride.

Brave: A comment at the beginning and never again. Thanks for the encouragement anyway and I hope you lurked along.

Hax: I’m still waiting to sign you on for the movie role of Berdic. Your imitation is just too good to pass up. Thanks for following.

Captain Black: Been a while since I’ve heard from you, but Cavarillos finally met his doom, just as you had hoped. The confrontation took place, just as you knew it would. I trust you’ve had the chance to read it.

Long lost Caesar: I kept it up and hope you read along. Good luck with your own writing.

Yossarian: The regular updates kept coming and I hope you stopped in for them. It’s been a long journey.

Chaotix27: Defeat. The first Total War campaign that ever ended with me being wiped out. But a good last stand. Thanks for reading.

Gamegeek2: Cadwalador didn’t survive, not in the long run. But he went out fighting. That counts for something.

Reality=Chaos: I think I blew quite a few people away with a number of these chapters. Hopefully not typical AAR fare. Thanks. And my novel is coming along. . .

Midnj: Yes, I tried for a path of at least semi-realism. Or plausibility.
Reverend Joe: You and I went round and round several times over all this, but your comments are always welcome. Thanks for following along and voicing your opinion freely. Always want to know what my readers are thinking.

Irishmafia2020: Haven’t heard from you in a while, my Navajo friend, but I trust you will be able to finish reading this story. Your support was invaluable over the months and your plug for the AAR over on TWC was golden. Thanks for the kind words.

Fenix3279: Thanks for following Defiant—er—Fenix. Keep up the good work on EB2.

MerclinusCDXX: Cadwalador just kept passing out, didn’t he? Thanks for all your lurking and for your vote over on TWC. It was much appreciated.

Sarcasm: Still trusting I didn’t throw you too far off-balance with the inclusion of monotheism, I was glad to have an EB team member reading. Wish you could have advised me a little more on my portrayal of culture. I didn’t know very much about the Aedui or Britonic tribes (which is pretty funny when you consider that this AAR will now come up in a Google search for the Dumnones)

Red Russian13: You only posted once, but your comment heartened me, as coming from a soldier. Whatever you’re doing now, wherever you’re located, take care of yourself. Your service to this great country is appreciated more than you can know. God bless.

Aaldaemon: I know you’re no longer active on these forums, but to leave you out would be an injustice. Things finally wound up with the tragic end you had desired, if not in the way you thought. Your own AAR was fabulous. Come back and finish it!

General Appo: Never become too predictable. That’s my motto.

Olaf the Great: Some people were drunk in this story. Cadwalador was never one of them. Thanks for reading.

Cadwalader: I still get a good chuckle every time I see your username. Your comments and help along the way were much appreciated, including your suggestion regarding the sword. The final dramatic touch I needed. Thanks.

Swordmaster: I’ve been so busy with this I’ve not commented on your Seleukid AAR. But please continue!

DaCrAzY: I doubt I will ever try to publish this particular story. It relies quite heavily on the game, and the ending would be hard for most readers to enjoy.

Ower: I tried to keep enough twists in to keep the story moving and keep people guessing. Glad to know I succeeded. Thanks for reading, man.

Hooahguy: You and I keep jockeying for third and fourth place in view count. If you hadn’t come back from the Tavern, I would have ruled supreme!!!

Tristrem: Aneirin is dead. As you wished, milord. But he died like the hero he truly was, and Cadwalador beside him. Thanks for your input.

Roka: Scotland. I’ve always wanted to go there, so it’s nice to have one of the Scots reads. (Notice, I’m smart enough to tell the difference between Scots and Scotch. Scots are the people. Scotch is the drink.) Many thanks for reading—I may be published one day.

Legosoldier: Thanks for the balloon, even though I’m not the Olympian you thought I was. If you knew me, you’d realize I’m hardly the athletic type. History, philosophy and literature have always been more my forte. As I delve back into my translation of Omar Khayyam. . .

Lysimachos: I prize comments from my fellow writers above all others, for they know first-hand the challenges that others can only imagine. And your Seleukid AAR is quite good, really. I’m pleased to know that this AAR is one of your two favorite of all time. Now if we can just get Aaldaemon back on the forums!

Aemilius Paullus: What’s your username over on TWC? This AAR is being entered in two more contests over there the end of this month, so keep an eye out if you want to support it. So far it is the only EB entry. Thanks for all of your help.

Penguinking: You were last new reader to comment before the end. Thanks for the encouragement. Let’s hear it from the lurkers!

Praxis: I am honored, my friend, to think that you joined the Guild to comment on my story. Now that you’re here, I hope you will stay and add your voice to the many and sundry discussions that take place here on a daily basis.

And above all, I need to thank the translators of the King James 1611 Bible. As strange as this may sound, it was only my familiarity with the sentence structure and grammatical phrasing of this sacred work that enabled me to convey the feeling of ancient times that I believe was portrayed in this AAR. Your work in translating the Word of God has never been surpassed, nay, not even equaled.
And please, if you’ve never commented, PLEASE COMMENT NOW!!!!!!!! You, as well as everyone mentioned above, will receive an excerpt from the manuscript I’m currently working on, just to give you an idea of my plans for the future. Thanks to all.


EDIT: Once again, this AAR is entered for the competitions on TWC. Voting should start next week. If you have an account, please support this story. Many thanks.

[Lysimachos]

@Lysimachos: So, you would be interested in a novel of the sort proposed in the excerpt?

Yes, just drop a note when you are published

That's a looooong thank-you-list you have there! I can only hope my AAR will never end, so I won't ever feel obliged to write one, too